Diabetic testing supplies such as glucose meters, test strips, and other devices used to monitor blood sugar levels, are a recurring expense for diabetic patients. For those who do not have adequate medical insurance, paying for diabetic testing supplies can create an enormous financial hardship. Fortunately for diabetics, the government programs of Medicaid and Medicare now cover diabetic testing supplies, thereby providing some financial relief to those who truly need it.

Medicaid is an insurance program funded by government on both the state and federal levels. Medicaid benefits are typically limited to those who are of extremely low income or have certain other qualifying conditions. All Medicaid enrollees who have diabetes are eligible to receive free diabetic testing supplies, including a limited number of lancets and test strips. While Diabetic testing supplies are covered fully, which is a good thing, many other types of diabetic testing supplies are covered by Medicaid as well. An unlimited number of syringes per month are covered by Medicaid, as are blood sugar monitors, specialized glucose meters and other important diabetes test supplies. If you are covered by Medicaid and need to obtain diabetes test supplies, you must make sure that your pharmacy not only will bill Medicaid directly but is also registered with the section of Medicaid that covers diabetic testing supplies and other diabetes equipment.

Medicare is a more general purpose program than Medicaid and is typically offered to those who have certain qualifying conditions and medical requirements as well as those who are over the age of sixty five. Until recently, Medicare did not cover the costs of diabetic testing supplies. Fortunately, Medicare does now cover diabetic testing supplies along with other diabetes equipment. Medicare covers lancets and test strips to a limited number per month. Currently Medicare will cover up to one hundred test strips and the same number of lancets per month for diabetic patients who use insulin and the same number per every two months for those who do not use insulin, but be sure to check with your pharmacist or call Medicare customer service to see how many lancets Medicare covers as this number can occasionally change. Medicare may be able to cover more test strips and lancets per month if you physician will document that you have a need for more diabetic testing supplies.

Those who are not covered by any insurance program, public or private, may still be eligible for free or reduced price diabetic testing supplies through their local pharmacies or state governments. People in this situation should check with their local pharmacist or their state health board to determine if they have any access to free or reduced price diabetic testing supplies.